“Curiosity” and “Wonder”: Where Research Begins
Associate Professor Yuko Tadokoro of the Cancer Research Institute recalls that her path toward research began during her undergraduate years, when she first encountered the “GFP mouse”—a mouse engineered to glow green throughout its body. “I remember thinking, ‘They’re doing something incredibly interesting!’” she says. GFP mice express green fluorescent protein (GFP), produced from a GFP gene introduced into their genome, which makes cells emit bright green light when exposed to UV illumination. This technology allows scientists to visualize previously invisible cellular behavior through “light.” Fascinated by the phenomenon of life literally glowing, Dr. Tadokoro became increasingly drawn to the hidden mechanisms underlying biological activity. This curiosity naturally led her to the field of stem cell biology. Stem cells possess two defining characteristics: self‑renewal, the ability to replicate themselves, and differentiation, the ability to develop into various types of specialized cells. Despite decades of research, many aspects of these mechanisms remain unresolved. Stem cells change their behavior depending on their environment and their interactions with surrounding cells, giving them an inherent ambiguity. Yet, as Dr. Tadokoro explains, “This mystery is precisely the key to understanding the fundamental nature of life.” A desire to uncover the unknown became the starting point of her journey as a researcher.
Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Unraveling One of Life’s Intriguing Mysteries
Currently, Dr. Tadokoro focuses on hematopoietic stem cells, a subset of tissue stem cells responsible for generating all blood cells—red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These cells reside primarily in the bone marrow and embody both self‑renewal and differentiation, making them central to the body’s lifelong maintenance of blood production and immune function. Her research aims to clarify how these dual abilities are maintained and regulated. It is known that stem cell function gradually declines with aging, but the detailed mechanisms remain elusive. If scientists can decipher these processes, it may become possible to rejuvenate or reactivate stem cells in the future. Such breakthroughs could contribute to restoring blood production, improving immune responses, and advancing regenerative medicine. For Dr. Tadokoro, the behavior of stem cells is not just cellular biology—it is directly tied to the question of how living organisms sustain and renew themselves over time. By uncovering the mechanisms embedded in this biological continuity, she hopes to approach an essential question: “What does it mean to be alive?”
Building Knowledge Through Experimentation — Clarifying Not Only Data, But the Meaning Behind It
Dr. Tadokoro’s guiding principle is to “accumulate experimental evidence, build knowledge, and uncover the mechanisms underlying life phenomena.” At the same time, she emphasizes the importance of deeply considering why such phenomena occur and what significance they hold for the organism. “Research is not simply collecting data and producing results,” she explains. “It is a continuous inquiry into the meaning behind each observation and the reasons life behaves as it does.” Working with stem cells—whose functions shift depending on their environment—provides opportunities to appreciate the flexibility and complexity of living systems. That is why she values not only the outcomes of experiments, but also the thought processes and the formulation of questions that lead to discovery. Through day‑to‑day experimentation, reflection, and dialogue, Dr. Tadokoro continues her pursuit of the mechanisms that sustain life. Her research promises to bring new perspectives and deeper insight to the future of life sciences.
(Science Writer: Yuko MiTERA, English Translation: Md Abul Kalam SIDDIKE)
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